Zechariah 8-9

Zechariah 8-9New International Version (NIV)

The Lord Promises to Bless Jerusalem

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”

3 This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

4 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age.5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

6 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty.

7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west.8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

9 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty.10 Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor.11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the Lord Almighty.

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse[a] among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing.[b] Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

14 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty,15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

18 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.

19 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

20 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.”

23 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

Judgment on Israel’s Enemies

9 A prophecy:

The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrakand will come to rest on Damascus—for the eyes of all people and all the tribes of Israelare on the Lord—[c]2 and on Hamath too, which borders on it,and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold;she has heaped up silver like dust,and gold like the dirt of the streets.4 But the Lord will take away her possessionsand destroy her power on the sea,and she will be consumed by fire.5 Ashkelon will see it and fear;Gaza will writhe in agony,and Ekron too, for her hope will wither.Gaza will lose her kingand Ashkelon will be deserted.6 A mongrel people will occupy Ashdod,and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.7 I will take the blood from their mouths,the forbidden food from between their teeth.Those who are left will belong to our Godand become a clan in Judah,and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.8 But I will encamp at my templeto guard it against marauding forces.Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,for now I am keeping watch.

The Coming of Zion’s King

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!See, your king comes to you,righteous and victorious,lowly and riding on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey.10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraimand the warhorses from Jerusalem,and the battle bow will be broken.He will proclaim peace to the nations.His rule will extend from sea to seaand from the River[d] to the ends of the earth.11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.13 I will bend Judah as I bend my bowand fill it with Ephraim.I will rouse your sons, Zion,against your sons, Greece,and make you like a warrior’s sword.

The Lord Will Appear

14 Then the Lord will appear over them;his arrow will flash like lightning.The Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet;he will march in the storms of the south,15 and the Lord Almighty will shield them.They will destroyand overcome with slingstones.They will drink and roar as with wine;they will be full like a bowlused for sprinkling[e] the corners of the altar.16 The Lord their God will save his people on that dayas a shepherd saves his flock.They will sparkle in his landlike jewels in a crown.17 How attractive and beautiful they will be!Grain will make the young men thrive,and new wine the young women.

Footnotes:

Zechariah 8:13That is, your name has been used in cursing (see Jer. 29:22); or, you have been regarded as under a curse.

Zechariah 8:13Or and your name will be used in blessings (see Gen. 48:20); or and you will be seen as blessed

Zechariah 9:1Or Damascus. / For the eye of the Lord is on all people, / as well as on the tribes of Israel,

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